Guardians of the Millenium: Into the Fire
Chapter Seven: "Oh Starry Night"
Author's Notes:
Here it is!! The end of Raye/Rei's tale,
and that means..(Drum roll and thunder
crash) ..the beginning of Lita's. ;).
At least I don't mess her name up!
2. Sora = Sarah sigh...I have trouble
with dubbing even my *own* character's names..
have pity on a poor overly stressed student
and kindly ignore it?!
3. My posting problems continued
last week 4-6-5 showed up out of
order...hope you weren't too confused.
At the end of this Chapter you should
see "END OF CHAPTER"
Again, I apologize for the poorly
edited state of this.
Enjoy!!!
*****************************************
Mezmermized by the dancing flames and the
heat of the fire, Jaedite sat, losing track of time.
A servant's call broke his concentration
"Lord Warrior, Sir, you are required in
the War Chamber. We've searched everywhere
for you. Hurry Sir."
When he entered, Malachite sent him an annoyed look
"Where were you? We summoned you hours ago" His
violet-blue eyes were almost slitted in his anger.
"Sorry...I was praying..." Jaedite said buttoning
his uniform... "What's happened?"
Malachite turned to Zoicite, and gave a barely
perceptible nod of his head.
Zoicite nodded in return, snapped his hand and magically
a report appeared. He began to
drone on about which villages had been
attacked. Jaedite tuned out--such details
of war didn't interest him. He wasn't the
tactical commander...at least, not any more.
Jaedite tried to supress the feeling of irritation
and jealousy that Zoicite stirred in him. Though
two years younger, Zoicite was already a
a better magic user than Jaedite. As such,
he'd unofficaly become Malachite's
second in command, unseating even the more
seasoned Neflite. As a result, Jaedite was
treated as the most junior officer ...and it irked
him.
"Jaedite, you listening?" Zoicite
asked him, visibly annoyed... "I asked
you a question..."
"Sorry...my mind was elsewhere." Jaedite said.
"What did you ask?"
"I asked whether you break your allegiance
to Beryl and swear to Endymion? Will you
fight against her? "
"What? Why?"
"Did you not listen?!"Zoicite exclaimed "She's
joined the enemy..."
"She's attacked the Earth Kingdom
villages..." Neflite added "And sacrificed our own people."
Jaedite looked up at Endymion's hollow eyes for guidance.
He found none.
"I got my wish...my engagement to Beryl is
broken, at the price of War...." Endymion said bitterly.
"Endymion..." Jaedite replied. He had never
seen his friend look so grim. What could
he say?
"I renounce the claim of Beryl's rule...
and join my fate with that of Earth and Endymion!!"
Malachite stated. He struck his hand down bringing
it up in a fist across his heart, then pointed
up "By Earth-Mineral Power, I swear fealty
to none but Endymion!"
All the Generals nodded and joined hands
in a square around the table. They each
repeated Malachite's words.
"Beryl's dishonor ends her claim on us...We
have pledged eternal
allegiance to you Endymion." Malachite said.
Endymion jerked out of his frozen
trance. "STOP IT. I don't deserve it...
I'm the one who's dishonorable...I broke
the engagement, and pushed Beryl too far.
It's all my fault"
He dissappeared in a blaze of his cloak.
Malachite slammed the table with his fist.
Zoicite flinched, more sensitive than the others to
the strong display of emotion from
the High General. "Find him, Zoicite.
That fool...he didn't utter the rest of
the spell necessary to bind us to him."
Zoicite nodded, and vannished in a flurry
of petals. Jaedite couldn't help but
think the petals were an unnecessary
embellisment..."Show off." He thought.
He turned his irritation to Malachite.
"Dare you call our prince a fool?" Jaedite
accused the older General.
"I dare when truth aids my cause. He
is one. And so are you, if you
do not understand the gravity of the
situation. Stop thinking about
romancing that girl, and prepare for war." Malachite
disappeared with a flash.
Neflite placed a hand on Jaedite's shoulder.
"Malachite said that harshly, but
Jaedite, the situation is grave. We
started a spell--and unless Endymion accepts our
eternal allegeiance, Beryl has
the power to claim our services..."
"What do you mean?" Jaedite asked.
"Magic was never your strong point,
was it? Since he did not claim us,
Beryl will."
"How can she do that? By What right?"
Jaedite demanded.
"By the right of the treaty
signed by our fathers. Mineral
and Earth fought over and for
possession of our lands. That
war ended with Beryl and Endymion's
engagement--and with our Father's renouncing
their kingdom's to Beryl, and their son's
to Endymion's service."
"And *that* is a spell?" Jaedite said...to him
magic was more physical and immediate
than this....contract.
"Yes...a subtle one...a destiny spell
if you will...The stars shifted with
this treaty." Neflite said. "Our fate
and our lives are not our own...just
as your Lady Rei owes fealty to Queen
Serenity...just as Endymion cannot
help but love Princess Serena"
"So if Endymion does not claim us we just
by default belong to Beryl?"Jaedite asked angrily.
"How can we be divided just like property--
a piece of land, a sack of grain? We can serve who we
want..Our will is our own!"
"No. I'm afraid it is not..and that
is why Malachite acted as he did...Magic
works in mysterious ways...what you
want will change. You cannot think
it will, but ..."Neflite paused. "If I
had told you before you went to Mars that
you, of all people, would fall in love--would you
have believed me?"
Jaedite narowed his eyes. "No...but
you didn't know..I didn't know."
Neflite shook his head. "I knew. I read the stars.
Remember the box I gave you before your
trip to Mars? It has a false bottom--go
open it. I must go prepare my troops." He vannished
leaving Jaedite alone.
Jaedite hastily teleported to his own chambers, and
began to toss his belongings around as he
searched for the box. He finally found it,
burried under some books and drawings.
Running his hand under the star-shaped
contraption, he felt a sudden click as
the mechanisim caught. He'd had this
thing a year, and had never noticed the
secret chamber, so clever the workmanship.
He didn't marvel at that long--he could
see something inside. He drew it out--an
envelope.
Jaedite slipped open the small paper--it
was dated a year ago, and looked
a little faded and well worn. A letter of
silvery gilt marked with the seal of the
Monarch of the Moon Kingdom lay inside.
"Lord Warrior Neflite,
We are indebted to
you for your service to our Kingdom.
We realize the request was awkward,
and appreciate your delicate handling
of the matter.
As We promised, We grant
you one favor. Though we think it
an odd request, the Royal House of the
Moon Kingdom, graciously and formally
consents to a marriage between Princess Mars
and Lord Warrior Jaedites, should
the girl wish it. If We had any doubt
about your talents, your mentioning her
dispersed them. We have not
yet officially chosen her to serve as Our
Princess' Inner Guardian, having only
recently selected the Outer Guardians.
Again, We can only take your knowledge
as further proof of your abilities.
We pray that which is invetible leaves
room for your happiness, as well
that of all the children of Our two Kingdoms.
We believe your service will go a long
way to insuring that such may be.
The blessings of the Moon be with you,
Queen Serenity
Jaedite sat down heavily, and reread the letter.
He was amazed of course, that Neflite knew
a year ago that Jaedite would pledge for Rei,
but more shocked at this "Serivce..." He felt
a little offended that his friend had hidden
such a secret from him as this communication--a
request by the mysterious Monarch of the Moon.
He wanted to ask him what favor she'd requested?
How did he know these things anyway? Did the
stars really reveal so much? How was that
possible? He swore...he could do simple
magic, but these things were beyond him.
He shook his head...he still had to
see to his troops. He didn't
have time to ponder the intricacies
of the Universe.
********************************
*************************************
The fuzzy cloud covered half-full moon only partially lit the night.
Rei, or rather SailorMars, smiled coldly at that. Perfect cover
for criminals or superheroines she thought. As she hurried down
Sendai Hill, and towards the wharf and wharehouse district,
she wondered again whether she should have given the police
the address and left everything to them. Why was she
risking herself on something that, as Chad had said,
should not have concerned the Sailors? Then again, Mina had fought
ordinary criminals once, before she knew the true alien enemies.
Weren't they all wasting their powers in a way by not going after
the petty evil that besieged cities like Tokyo? Even if
she didn't have a personal reason, perhaps she should
try to fight the wickedness of the criminal element.
She shook her head. After the defeat of Galaxia, they'd all
returned to living "normal" lives as they'd always wanted to
do. Like most vacations, the freedom becomes a jail. She'd
missed this rush of power and danger. Turning a corner, she
found herself on the street outside the wharehouses numbered
in the 530's. Using a map, she'd narrowed it down to Grainfort
street. One of these wharehouses had to be the one. Relying
on her extrasensory perception, she let the feeling guide her
towards Sora. 535. That was the one. She fingered the door.
"Probably not good to go in attracting attention." She thought.
She looked up, considering the possibility of entering through
the second story windows. Breathing in heavily, she steadied
herself.
Noiselessy, she dropped inside and tried to focus in the dim
light. In the middle of the room, a young girl sat tied
up in a chair. A single bulb of light lit her features
revealing that she was somehow uncomfortably asleep. Mars
whispered "Sora" to herself. A man sat across from her,
bleary eyed, and playing solitaire on a laptop by a phone.
His gun lay on the table. Suddenly the phone rang.
"Yeah." He answered tersely. "Stop panicking. I knew about
that already. These unseen complications were why you
hired me, isn't it? The project is secure,and the police are
off the trail."He cursed loudly. "Kill her? Oh no, that
wasn't the deal.
Let's renegotiate. Tell HIM I'm doubling the price.."
A pause. Mars inched closer.
"He can afford it...at least "your client" can't afford
not to now... I'm Expendable? Oh Really? You may have hired some
idiots, but I'm not one. I'm not going to be left on
the hook." There was a pause.
"Oh yeah...see I know all about who your boss is--I have quite
an interesting file on him and the Stanton heir dissappearance.
I wouldn't dream of blackmail, but insurance is different,
just like murder."
The man swore again, as Mars moved unseen behind him. "Don't believe
me? Here, I just sent you a copy of the file. Check your
electronic mail.....your private one...Don't get so angry...
it's secure. Sure I'm sure. You came to me because I'm the
best,so don't be surprised. The girl? She's in a safe place.
Right here with me actually--more insurance. I wouldn't try anything
--it's Stanton wharehouse property... " He laughed then, a dry
laugh. "I thought that was appropriate don't you? You
have an hour to meet my demands." He hung up.
He looked at Sora. "Seems the client is getting
nervous. That's not good for you....I'll see
if I can hold him off."
Mars considered. She couldn't let lose with a fire ball--
that would cause too much damage. For the first time ever in
a battle she wished she had the powers of the other
scouts. With Mercury's bubbles, she could have simply
stolen Sora from under their noses. Venus, with her
chain and beams would have been able to stun the man.
Even Moon's tiara would have knocked him silly...She
had to do this alone. Squaring her stance, she took
a deep breath. She rushed forward, knocking the gun
away and slaming the man down. He went down easily.
She scurried over to Sora and began to untie her. This
was going so well. She thought to herself--She'd
always thought she'd enjoy working alone. That's
when she heard the click. The man hadn't been unconcious,
he'd just pretended.
"Ah...the legendary SailorMars. Thought you were a myth."
He laughed. "Try anything and, you won't exist."
He leveled the gun at her. Shocked she realized who
the man was. "Wolf Malder?" She whispered.
He raised an eyebrow. "Funny, I wouldn't have thought
you'd heard of me..."
"I've heard more than you realize...why are you doing
this?" She asked. "Kidnapping? Kind of below
you isn't it? I thought you were an expert on
paranormal activity and law enforcement."
"You'd be surprised at what I stoop to doing these days..
Now move."
"Let us go--you don't have to do this." She said.
"But I do...If you're here, for once this job
isn't below me...I was right about
Stanton Industries.." He said, his eyes odly
lighted by his excitement.
She wondered if there was anyway that a bullet wouldn't
hurt her--but she wasn't about to risk it.
She was trained to fight magical attacks, not guns.
She needed help.
"SailorMars--you know, I could let your
friend there go, now that I have you..." He smiled. "But
I'm afraid I don't know enough about your capabilites
to trust that I could handle you...she's your vulnerability."
"We can't stay like this." She said.
"Don't have to do that--" he motioned with his hand. Suddenly
three men appeared. Mars recognized them as the thugs
that had attacked her earlier. "They should be in jail!"
She exclaimed.
"Er...yes...but a few records deleted, and" Malder shook
his head. "The legal system is thorougly corrupt. It's
one more reason I got disenchanted with it in the first
place..."
He leaned over and began hitting keys on the computer.
"I'll find another safe place for my new
prize...I"m going to unravel all your secrets SailorMars...
Starting with your connection to this case..."
"You're crazy!" Mars said, noticing the wild look
in his eyes.
"So I've been told...who wouldn't be, with the things
I've seen, and no one believes? Even when my
partner was killed...no one believed how... The truth...
it's out there and no one cares." His eyes focussed on her.
"WE believe lies...because we want to...but not me. You're
part of it aren't you? You're one of *them*."
"Them who?" She asked.
"Aliens...What's this girl's connection to you? Is she part of it?"
His rapid fire questions disconcerted her. "The attacks on
Tokyo--the ones with inadequate scientific explanations...you
were part of that...are you an alien? Is she? Is that why
He wants her?"
"Who?" Mars asked in confusion.
"Stanton Industries is up to its necks
in it...I know it. And so is that temple...lots
of weird things happen there....I took this job to
find out more...I knew when the CEO of Stanton
Industries wants something done...its BIG. What
does he have against her--and you? And the
rest of your group?"
She shook her head. "I don't know who you mean."
"The Sailors...who else...Who are you?
Why do you protect her? Who is SailorMoon?"He asked then.
"A champion of justice, a righter of wrongs--someone who triumps
over evil--and in the name of the moon punnishes bad guys like you!"
A familar high pitched voice squealed.
Mars had never been so happy to hear it.
He turned his head briefly, as a small flying object
knocked the gun out of his hand, sending it scattering
on the ground.
Out of nowhere, like a bolt of lightening, another figure
charged and took down two of the men he'd brought with him.
The third started to run towards Sailor Moon, but a sharp
rose cut him off. He laughed, startled, but still
moved towards the girl. "Little girl, get out of my way!"
He menanced.
"Sailor Moon Kick" she said, hitting him in the solar plexus with her
foot (jumping to do so). He went down with a thud.
Malder, confused looked around. "This can't be!" He said.
In desperation he charged forward to stop Mars from untying
Sora. A hand out of nowhere grabbed him, and smashed
his face in with a well placed punch. He could have sworn
the man who did this was dressed in a cape, and was well,
hovering if not flying.
"Who was your client" Mars's voice shouted in his ear, as
someone bound *him* to the chair. "You have nothing
to gain by hiding that."
"It's" he started to say when a shot rang out, hitting
him in the chest. His head slumped forward.
Instinctively, Mars and Jaedite jumped
back. Tuxedo Mask covered Moon, and Jupiter crouched low,
scanning for who the assassin was.
A voice, disembodied in the echoing walls of the wharehouse
simply said. "Sorry, but we're afraid we need
to keep this information classified. " Almost
instantly, the whole place burst into flames with a large
crash.
A long limo pulled away. Inside a figure sat,
shrouded in darkness. "It's a pity the merger
plan has gone astray--but no matter now. I've found
something more important..." Smoke filled the interior
of the vehicle. "Here" He tossed the Assitant a green
vial that glowed luminously in the interior of the car.
Agains the glow of light, the Assitant
stared at the silouhette of her Boss. He was
not a threatening sight, proving that looks
can be decieving. The casual observer
would see a thin older man, reclining with legs crossed,
as he lazily smoked a cigar. He looked more
like an art critic or hairstylist than he did
the most dangerous person in Tokyo. But
that was what he was.
"What Sir? " The Assitant asked her boss through the
cloud of smoke.
"All along that idiot Malder was right...
Imagine the power they control...if we can find
the source of that..." He twisted a strand of his
thinning red-blonde hair around his finger, as he contemplated
this.
"Sir, You've tried sapping mythological power before-- without
success." A sharp look from the boss had the Assistant
retracting her words. "Sorry sir. I dishonor you to speak of that."
"You do. I'll ignore it. We may not be able to unravel the
merger, but now we've found something bigger..." He smiled.
"I think its time for me to return to the Dark Arts.
.The rumors say there were more "scouts"...
if we can find the others, and take their power, just think
of what I can accomplish?"
The car glided through the night, slowing as it
approached a huge mansion. At last
the man spoke again. " Ruling the electronics industry,
that's small. I'll have the world at my feet." He
laughed as he added "Where it belongs." When
he sobered he ordered " Get me the information file
on Project Gate. This time, I won't
let any thing go wrong."
The Assistant nodded. She carefully deleted the file
sent by Malder on the laptop computer in the Limo.
Loose ends needed to be squared away. She'd learned
that much from her former partner. She wondered
where that memory came from, when the rest
of her memories were so shadowed? Slowly,
she fingered the scar at her temple, that reminded
her of the accident that had taken away most of her
memories and almost her life. She looked at the man
who'd saved her life--essentially
brought her back from the dead. She inserted the
green vial and let the fluid flow through her giving
her energy. Her hand moved higher
on her head, to finger the metallic plate that framed
the rest of her head. Red hair spilled over it, as
natural looking as her original hair, though it was as
syntehtic as the computer. If she were still completely human,
she thought, perhaps she'd feel sad about killing
her former partner. Then again, maybe she wouldn't.
If anything, it was Malder's fault she died in the first place.
"If we avoid pulling something from another dimension,
we should be safer." The Boss said. "That was my mistake
the first time--overestimating unknowns." The part of
the Assistant that was still human noted wryly that her
death was also the fault of the man who was the reason for
her continued existence. He had been an unknown
quantity, and she had overestimated him then. One mistake
she would never make again.
* * *
Rei nervously looked out at the sea of people gathered
at the temple. "Are you ready Sora, we should start."
She said. Sora nodded, and Rei headed down the aisle,
knowing that people were admiring and yet shocked
at the tight crimson silk dress she wore. Sora had picked
the gown. "You look great in it, and it suits
you. Red demands attention." Rei noted that
the high slits did as well...she wondered if the
dress was entirelly appropriate to a wedding--but
if Sora didn't mind, then how could she?
They looked as different as night and day, though,
and Rei's demanding beauty was quite a contrast
to the etheral angellic picture that Sora made
walking down the aisle on her father's arm.
What seemed like hours later, Rei sank into a chair.
The dancing had started, while dinner was cleared
away. She glanced up to see Sora and Chad swaying.
She smiled, hiding her thoughts by lowering her head.
She also spied Darrien and Serena, gliding somewhat
less gracefully. Rei rolled her eyes. Serena was
probably tipsy again. Something inside of her
told her she'd done the right thing...but her smile
was one of happiness for others rather than herself.
Since the wedding had come up so soon, she
still hadn't time to sort out her mind.
At the last second before the explosion, Jaedite
had saved them all with some sort of
shield spell. "Just instinct" He'd
said. Luckily Sora had fainted, and they'd
been able to deposit her in her house without
anyone seeing the Sailors. Jed had said
nothing further, except turning to Darrien
and asking odly "Do you accept my pledge
of eternal allegiance?"
TuxedoMask had been a little disconcerted,
but had stumbled from his usual fine
speeches. "Uh, sure?" He'd muttered.
Rei still hadn't discussed Jed's alter-ego's
behavior that night. She'd been too
busy since then. She wasn't
sure, as she looked at the dancing
crowd, why she even thought of it now.
She got up to leave, desiring the quiet
of her room. She felt someone suddenly
shove her forward, and she careened
into someone. "I must
have lost my balance." She felt
arms steadying herup and into Jed's light blue eyes.
"Excuse me." She said as he
continued to hold her, and
she started to push past him.
"I will, but only if you dance with
me. You haven't all night." Jed said
"I'm not sure my grandfather would approve."
She returned.
"If he were here but I'm afraid
the poor guy had too much punch and
is sleeping it off in his room." Jed smiled
wide, a light sparkling in his cerulean
blue eyes.
Rei blanched "Grandpa got drunk and passed
out?!" Her mind swam with fear at what
inappropriate things Gramps might have done
until then.
Jed laughed, understanding her fear.
"Don't worry...I uh, supplied him
with the punch *before* the wedding
started--as soon as the ceremony was over,
Grandpa's been out like a light" He
added..."I thought it best if we avoid
having him kiss the bride.."
Rei sighed in relief, and looked up at
Jed. Something changed for her in that moment,
thought it would be a long time before she'd
admit it.
"Thank you for that, and the other night."
"So does that mean I may have this
dance?" he asked taking her hand. He heard her
unspoken thoughts. She was letting down
her guard with him, and taking him into the
fire that burned in her heart.
"As long as you take all of them, Jed." Rei, smiled
up at him.
Behind a pillar Lita smiled as Jed and
Rei glided to the dance floor. She
watched them for a minute, and then
slipped outside. "I knew
all they needed was a push in the
right direction" She said to no one
in particular... "Always said there
was nothing like the direct approach."
She stared up at the stars...with their
light to keep her company, she never felt so
alone.
"END OF CHAPTER"
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